Uploaded December 2022 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
In a series of recent Washington Post investigative articles about bodybuilding in the NPC/IFBB pro league, Desmond Butler (the son of the producer of Pumping Iron) covered a series of controversial topics. Among them, were the seemingly increasing numbers of competitor deaths. In this episode we sat down with Dr Guillermo Escalante, the Assistant Dean and a Professor of Kinesiology in the College of Natural Sciences at CSU San Bernardino who is a competitive bodybuilder himself, as well as an athletic trainer (a sports medicine first responder). He was interviewed for these Washington Post articles because from 2012 to 2019 he spent many of his Saturdays in Southern California at shows, making himself available in case any athletes had medical emergencies. Dr Escalante has also specifically published research examining the potential causes of death of enhanced pro bodybuilders. Needless to say, there are few people with more direct knowledge, experience, and perspective on the potential dangers of certain practices in enhanced physique sport, whether these risks can be reduced, and how.
00:00 Introducing Dr Guillermo Escalante
NASM Physique and Bodybuilding Coach Certification nasm.org/continuing-education/physique-bodybuilding-coach
04:55 The Washington Post investigative series and Dr Escalante’s involvement in the sport
Investigating the sport my dad made famous washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/investigating-the-sport-my-dad-made-famous
Escalante 2021 Peak week recommendations for bodybuilders: an evidence based approach pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34120635
Escalante 2022 Dead Bodybuilders Speaking from the Heart: An Analysis of Autopsy Reports of Bodybuilders That Died Prematurely pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36547651
35:30 Safety considerations to be made for enhanced bodybuilders
50:52 Changes in judging standards affecting the practices of competitors
1:08:01 The potential dangers of enhanced bodybuilding and water cutting practices
Barakat 2022 Can Bodybuilding Peak Week Manipulations Favorably Affect Muscle Size, Subcutaneous Thickness, and Related Body Composition Variables? A Case Study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878117
1:28:24 Solutions to encourage safer practices in competitors
1:36:57 Closing out and where to find Dr Escalante
Instagram @doctorgfit instagram.com/doctorgfit
PubMed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?sort=fauth&term=Escalante+G&cauthor_id=35878117
Google Scholar scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=HC9TNT0AAAAJ
ResearchGate researchgate.net/profile/Guillermo-Escalante
Facebook Doctorgfit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082919303741
NSCA Facebook group facebook.com/groups/1957506757803789
In a series of recent Washington Post investigative articles about bodybuilding in the NPC/IFBB pro league, Desmond Butler (the son of the producer of Pumping Iron) covered a series of controversial topics. Among them, were the seemingly increasing numbers of competitor deaths. In this episode we sat down with Dr Guillermo Escalante, the Assistant Dean and a Professor of Kinesiology in the College of Natural Sciences at CSU San Bernardino who is a competitive bodybuilder himself, as well as an athletic trainer (a sports medicine first responder). He was interviewed for these Washington Post articles because from 2012 to 2019 he spent many of his Saturdays in Southern California at shows, making himself available in case any athletes had medical emergencies. Dr Escalante has also specifically published research examining the potential causes of death of enhanced pro bodybuilders. Needless to say, there are few people with more direct knowledge, experience, and perspective on the potential dangers of certain practices in enhanced physique sport, whether these risks can be reduced, and how.
00:00 Introducing Dr Guillermo Escalante
NASM Physique and Bodybuilding Coach Certification nasm.org/continuing-education/physique-bodybuilding-coach
04:55 The Washington Post investigative series and Dr Escalante’s involvement in the sport
Investigating the sport my dad made famous washingtonpost.com/podcasts/post-reports/investigating-the-sport-my-dad-made-famous
Escalante 2021 Peak week recommendations for bodybuilders: an evidence based approach pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34120635
Escalante 2022 Dead Bodybuilders Speaking from the Heart: An Analysis of Autopsy Reports of Bodybuilders That Died Prematurely pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36547651
35:30 Safety considerations to be made for enhanced bodybuilders
50:52 Changes in judging standards affecting the practices of competitors
1:08:01 The potential dangers of enhanced bodybuilding and water cutting practices
Barakat 2022 Can Bodybuilding Peak Week Manipulations Favorably Affect Muscle Size, Subcutaneous Thickness, and Related Body Composition Variables? A Case Study pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35878117
1:28:24 Solutions to encourage safer practices in competitors
1:36:57 Closing out and where to find Dr Escalante
Instagram @doctorgfit instagram.com/doctorgfit
PubMed pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?sort=fauth&term=Escalante+G&cauthor_id=35878117
Google Scholar scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=HC9TNT0AAAAJ
ResearchGate researchgate.net/profile/Guillermo-Escalante
Facebook Doctorgfit facebook.com/profile.php?id=100082919303741
NSCA Facebook group facebook.com/groups/1957506757803789
